Yana Rattigan

Date of Birth: 20 Jan 1987

Weight Class: 48Kg

About Yana

Yana Rattigan, Manchester

Yana Rattigan fell in love. With Britain. So much so, that after experiencing the country for some years she wanted to settle here, and become a British citizen. She also fell in love with Leon Rattigan, fellow member of the World Class Programme, and in time they married.

Being in Britain, also meant that she wanted to compete at international tournaments for GBR for many years to come. And that was good news for British Wrestling, given that she had finished fifth in the 2009 World Championships in Denmark, and was just one contest away from winning a bronze medal.

Yana arrived in the UK in February 2007. Born and raised in Ukraine, she came here initially to be a sparring partner - but liked it so much, she stayed.

"I love it here," she said back in 2009. "I love Manchester, I love the lifestyle, and I really do want to settle here and become British.

"Everyone has made me so welcome, and what impressed me were the standards, which I can see improving all the time, and that is helping me."

Yana took up wrestling at 13, but it should be no surprise she chose this sport, because it is in the blood! Her father is a wrestling coach, and her brother, Andrei, will be known to some as a silver medalist at the Beijing Olympics, and the winner of a bronze at the World Championships in 2006.

"I have a sister who also wrestles, so as you can tell, I grew up with the sport," said Yana. "But in Ukraine it is a big sport, with a big history.

"When I first tried it I was good at it, I enjoyed it, and it went from there."

Yana's big ambition is to win a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, and she will be delighted to be wearing GB colours. "To be honest, when I go to the mat, I am wrestling for myself, but as I say, I am very settled here in Britain, and I am very proud to represent Britain at international competitions.

"My family back home have been very supportive - they didn't mind me coming here in the first place, and they are pleased that I have settled here, and are always happy to see me win."